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Role Description

USA TODAY Network is seeking a senior, self-directed reporter to support the launch and scaling of AI-assisted local journalism in a major U.S. metro. This is not a traditional beat role. You will be responsible for utilizing approved AI tools and workflows to drive local coverage and audience growth. You’ll work with minimal day-to-day supervision and will be expected to identify opportunities, develop them into solutions, and document what works so it can be reused across markets.

Your north star: high-quality local journalism at scale, without sacrificing accuracy, transparency, or trust. At USA TODAY Co., AI always serves journalism – never the other way around.

What you’ll do

• Own AI-assisted local production
• Produce and publish fast, accurate local coverage using AI-assisted workflows, including service journalism, events, transportation, weather, public meetings, and structured civic data.
• Independently convert structured inputs (agendas, advisories, datasets, calendars, alerts) into publishable stories and explainers at volume.
• Verify facts, names, locations, and claims; conduct interviews as needed to add context and authority.

Tool and platforms you’ll use

• Newsroom-approved LLMs (CoPilot, Perplexity, etc.)
• Reverse-image search tools such as Google Images and TinEye.
• Mapping/geolocation tools.
• Public-records platforms (state court portals, FOIA systems).
• Data and document tools like Excel/Sheets, Airtable, and PDF extraction tools.
• Verification tools (CrowdTangle, social search).

Deploy and refine AI workflows

• Implement approved AI tools and templates in live newsroom production.
• Customize prompts, inputs, and checks to meet local needs while maintaining editorial standards.
• Identify failure modes, quality gaps, and efficiency bottlenecks; propose and implement improvements.

Operate as a market-level problem solver

• Approach the assignment with a spirit of experimentation and innovation: Identify repeatable coverage gaps that AI-assisted workflows can fill.
• Balance speed and judgment in a competitive, high-demand news environment.
• Escalate editorial, legal, or ethical risks early and clearly.

Document and scale what works

• Create lightweight playbooks, checklists, and examples that allow successful workflows to be reused by other reporters and markets.
• Share lessons learned with editors, Product, and Content AI partners.
• Prioritize reader trust and contribute to the evolution of AI standards, guardrails, and disclosure practices.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated newsroom experience producing accurate local journalism under deadline pressure.
• Proven ability to work independently, prioritize work, and deploy without close supervision.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools (LLMs or automation) in editorial workflows.
• Strong verification instincts and comfort taking responsibility for published work.
• Comfort working across systems: CMSs, spreadsheets, feeds, and multiple tools at once.
• Clear written and verbal communication with editors and cross-functional partners.
• Familiarity with AI tools and experience with platforms, prompts and workflows.

Preferred

• Experience launching or scaling coverage in a new or under-resourced market.
• Experience designing or maintaining repeatable newsroom workflows.
• Familiarity with service journalism, civic data, or structured local content.
• Comfort documenting processes for others to follow.
• Experience using verification and research tools like reverse-image search, map tools, and public-records databases.

How To Apply

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

Salary

The annualized base salary for this role will range between $65,000 and $70,000. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co. employs employees.

In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@usatodayco.com. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.